Research Administrator

Research Administrator

Apply

Viterbi School of Engineering

Los Angeles, California

The Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science at USC Viterbi School of Engineering seeks to recruit a seasoned Research Administrator to join its outstanding team of faculty, staff, and students.

The Department of Computer Science has a significant and dynamic student population that is home to more than 5,800 students.

Under the direction of the Manager of Research Administration and faculty, the position will support daily departmental contracts and grants research administration activities and other department financial needs, as well as supervise the team of assistant and associate research administrators.

This position requires an unwavering commitment to service and excellence in a demanding, deadline-driven environment. In addition to managing his / her own portfolio of proposals, the successful candidate will also be responsible for training research administrators with a focus on service and excellence across all research administration needs including proposal development and submission activities, financial account reconciliation, and closeout tasks.

• Excellent communication skills, adaptability, and flexibility to accommodate ongoing changes to internal and external policies and regulations;
• composure and diplomacy in facilitating short lead times on proposal or project deliverables; balancing conflicting priorities;

and contributing and adjusting to a continuously evolving environment are vital. We seek agile and entrepreneurial candidates who embrace change and actively seek opportunities for growth in a dynamic environment.

If you thrive on adaptability and are eager to take on new challenges, we encourage you to apply.

The core job duties are :

PRE-AWARD

• Prepares proposal
• Stays informed and reminds faculty about research funding opportunities requirements of proposal solicitations.
• Develops, prepares, and finalizes proposal budgets for submission and review by Viterbi Business Affairs.
• Obtains cost sharing and commitment support.
• Fills out electronic-required USC and agency forms, and submits them for approval and signature.
• Assists faculty in entering proposal information in Fastlane or Grants.gov.
• Checks for completeness of proposals.
• Communicates with Contracts & Grants for proposal requirements and authorization for submittal to agency.
• Maintains the current and pending file of faculty.

POST-AWARD

• Manages Research Grants as Account Manager.
• Oversees university accounting systems as related to expenditures in payroll, purchasing, check requests, and others.
• Initiates expenditure requests on research funds in agreement with university expenditure policies.
• Checks budget and expenditures for compliance with funding agency restrictions.
• Prepares budget re-allocation requests in research grants and makes budget projections at the request of faculty.
• Audits expenses and encumbrances posted in university accounting system.
• Collaborates with Sponsored Projects Accounting and USC Business Services.
• Follows up on purchases, payroll, and other matters related to allocation & expenditures.

CLOSE-OUT

• Reviews / audits shadow reports of all research accounts.
• Plans closure of expiring grants.
• Sends close-out notices 90 / 60 / 30 days before termination.

PAYROLL and EFFORT CERTIFICATION

• Processes student and research staff Payroll.
• Prepares offer letters for Research Assistants.
• Submits RA list to VBA.
• Makes sure that RA and research staff payroll are verified before principal investigators certify the percent of effort.

SUPERVISION OF OTHER STAFF

• Serves as the supervisor for CS research administrators.
• Serves as subject matter expert to other CS research administrators in agency guidelines and USC policies and procedures.
• Collects, prepares and maintains database for audit purposes.
• Prepares reports as requested on number of proposals and grants.
• Assesses staff development needs to respond to needs of research active faculty.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the mission of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Viterbi staff are expected to facilitate a culture of support and service, to model civility and respectful engagement at all times, and to maintain the highest ethical standards and to maintain strict confidentiality across all facets of their work.

Additional Information :

This is a hybrid position. The Research Administrator will be expected to work fully onsite for the first three months of employment, and will subsequently be eligible to work 2-3 days from home.

All remote and hybrid staff are expected to attend occasional meetings and activities as required by their supervisor and / or department.

This position is not eligible for fully remote work.

Minimum Education :

Read all the information about this opportunity carefully, then use the application button below to send your CV and application.

Bachelor's Degree

Combined experience / education as substitute for minimum education.

Minimum Experience : 5 Years.

5 Years.

Minimum Field of Experience :

Expert knowledge and fluency of governmental regulations. Knowledge and ability to understand, interpret, and communicate University policies and procedures.

Excellent oral, written, and communication skills. Excellent analytical skills; demonstrated proficiency in Excel and web-based tools.

Strong accounting skills; knowledge of accounting principles. Expert in project management, including managing international collaborations and complex multi-sub award contracts.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Knowledge and experience in WorkDay and SAP Concur.
• Knowledge of USC purchasing and travel / expense guidelines.
• Previous University experience in a research setting.
• Outstanding customer support, poise, tact and diplomacy.
• Meticulously detail-oriented and highly organized.

Required Applicant Documents :

A resume / CV is required. Please feel free to upload your application materials in a single document.

USC and the Viterbi School :

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles.

As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

Founded in 1905, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is named for Andrew Viterbi who developed an algorithm to connect the world's citizens.

Similarly, the school, located in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology and international business in the heart of the Pacific Rim, is a hub for entrepreneurship that connects students from 64 countries.

USC Viterbi is a pioneer in restoring sight to the blind; restoring memory to sufferers of Alzheimer's; and socially assistive robots to aid seniors with stroke or children with autism.

It is the home of the first operational quantum computing center in academia. Our alumni include Neil Armstrong, first human on the moon;

A.C. Mike Markkula, co-founder of Apple; and Wanda Austin, former CEO of the Aerospace Corporation.

The USC Viterbi School is consistently ranked among the top graduate programs. Our mission is to serve California, the nation and the world.

At USC Viterbi, we call this the enabling power of Engineering+.

REQ20144649 Posted Date : 08 / 19 / 2024

J-18808-Ljbffr